Contemporary Christian Romance: Love Again Read online

  Love Again

  Second edition

  By:

  T.K. Chapin

  www.tkchapin.com

  Copyright © 2015 T.K. Chapin All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

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  Version: 12.03.2015

  Second Edition

  ISBN:

  ISBN-13:

  Available Books

  By T.K. Chapin

  (Inspirational Christian Romances)

  Love’s Enduring Promise Series

  The Perfect Cast (Book 1) FREE

  Finding Love (Book 2)

  Claire’s Hope (Book 3)

  Dylan’s Faith (Book 4)

  Embers & Ashes Series

  Amongst The Flames

  Out of the Ashes

  Up in Smoke

  After the Fire Early 2016

  Stand Alones

  Love Again

  Love Interrupted

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  Dedicated to my one true love, Crystal.

  Special Note

  I wanted to thank you for purchasing a copy of Love Again and let you know that this is a story that has been rewritten. I first published this book on November 30, 2014. Over the course of the last year I feel my writing has drastically improved and I wanted to give Jill (the main character) another chance.

  I also want to thank my readers that are out there. My life over the last year has been full of blessings and I thank God for you all every single day. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible.

  Merry Christmas and God bless,

  T.K. CHAPIN

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  Other Books

  Book Previews

  Bonus

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Author’s Note

  CHAPTER 1

  One cold, early morning in November, Jill woke up much like any other day. She slid out from underneath the covers and slipped her feet into her slippers. Stretching her arms out as she yawned, she looked through the curtains and could see snow falling just outside her bedroom window.

  Leaving her bedroom, she ventured out to the kitchen with one eye struggling to stay open. Jill was exhausted, not only from a restless night of tossing and turning, but from her life in general. Loneliness has a way of doing that to a person, and Jill was no stranger to that reality.

  Once in the kitchen, Jill went straight for the coffee pot that sat on the counter between the sink and the bowl of fruit. As she went through the motions of preparing a pot of coffee, something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. She looked through the window above the sink to see what it was. A small Yorkshire terrier was prancing around her yard in the snow.

  Whose dog is that? Jill watched as the dog rounded the corner of the large pine tree further out in the yard. Maybe there’s a collar. I should go see. Jill finished making her coffee and went back into her bedroom for a moment. Putting on her pink robe that she had hanging on the wall near the bathroom, she ran through a list of people in her mind with dogs in the neighborhood, and not one person came to mind with a dog like that.

  Coming out onto her back patio with snow boots and a bathrobe, she peered out through the falling snow in the hopes of seeing the dog. Hearing the dog bark, Jill crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders as she walked out into the snow. “Come here, boy!” she hollered, hoping the dog would hear it and come running. She heard the bark again; this time it sounded like the dog might have gone into her front yard.

  Walking around the corner of her house, she spotted a man who was wearing a dark leather jacket and a beanie.

  Who is this on my property? Her heart raced with fear. Being single and living alone made Jill a bit paranoid, but she had also learned to act strong when she was weak, brave when she was scared. “Hey!” she shouted with her eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed. “What are you doing on my property?”

  The man turned around, and when he looked into Jill’s eyes, she immediately felt a warm comfort, something she hadn’t felt in years. Her fears fell away in an instant and she relaxed.

  “Oh, hey,” he said, stumbling a little as he adjusted his footing. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I just saw my dog run over here and thought I’d retrieve him.” He trekked through the snow over to Jill with a hand extended.

  Jill was beside herself. Unable to formulate a coherent statement, she pushed out, “Dog, snow.” Jill flushed with embarrassment. The stranger stopped and dropped his hand back to his side. He raised an eyebrow and scratched his head as he looked at her.

  “What’d you say?” he asked.

  “I mean . . . You’re looking for your dog, right?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “I’m sorry I came waltzing onto your property and didn’t knock on your door beforehand.”

  “Oh, you’re fine,” she replied.

  He grinned.

  “I mean . . . it’s fine,” she replied, covering her face. “Can we start over?” she asked, pushing out a hand to shake his. “I’m Jill.”

  “Sure. I’m Jake,” he replied as he shook her hand.

  “Are you new around here?” Jill asked. At the same moment she asked, she spotted his dog over by the electrical pole that sat near the fence line. “There he is!” Jill said, pointing. They began to walk over to the dog.

  “I just moved into my Grandpa’s place. I’m here to help take care of some things for him,” Jake said. He bent a knee down in the snow before making it to the electrical pole. “Come here, Duke!” he shouted as he patted his knee.

  The dog came sprinting through the snow and over to Jake. Duke leaped up into Jake’s arms with a wagging tail. Jill watched as Jake stood up and began to dash in circles around his dog, playing. It stirred up affection inside Jill. Who is this guy? And why do I have such strong feelings for him? Shaking her head, she pushed the growing interest for Jake aside. “That’s nice of you to help your grandpa. Who is he? I probably know him.”

  Jake pulled out a leash from his coat pocket and began to latch the end to the dog’s collar as he said, “You probably did, but he passed away. Mr. Knightly.”

  “Oh . . . I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Sorry for your loss. I’m not sure exactly who that is,” Jill replied.

  “Thanks. Most people around Suncrest knew him as Ricky.”

  “Oh!” she replied. “Ricky! I knew Mr. Knightly rang a bell, I just couldn’t place it. He was the guy that owned the old hardware store. He always had the most interesting stories! He passed a while back, didn’t he?”

  “Yep, that’s him. And yes, it was a while ago, but there was a fake will and a bunch of bad family drama.” Jake paused. “Anyway, turned out the real will wanted me to have the house and be in charge of the estate, so I’m here t
rying to fix that mess. I know it sounds weird that one of his kids isn’t handling it, but if you knew them, you wouldn’t find it odd. But anyway . . .” Jake replied.

  “Oh, man, that sounds rough,” Jill replied.

  “Yeah,” Jake said as they walked back across the snow toward the house. “Is your husband still sleeping?” he asked, glancing toward Jill’s house.

  “No husband,” she replied. She was onto him. He was fishing for information about her, so she went along. “Is your wife going to be wondering where you’re at?” Jill asked.

  He smiled. “No wife.”

  The closer they came to the house, the more Jill felt torn between inviting him in for coffee and just letting him go on his way. She hadn’t felt anything in years, and in a matter of seconds this stranger was able to stir something inside of her that she thought she had lost forever. There was no logical explanation for the feelings she was encountering, but she knew if she were to let him go, she might lose the good feeling that was with her in that moment.

  Coming to the steps in front of her door, Jake smiled and said, “Well, it was nice meeting you, Jill.” He shook her hand.

  “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?” she blurted out suddenly as they released their hand shake.

  “Yeah,” he replied. “I was hoping you would ask.”

  Inside the house, as Jill poured his coffee, she looked over her shoulder at him at the kitchen table and asked, “How do you like your coffee?”

  “Black,” he replied.

  She brought the cup of coffee over to him, plus her own, and took a seat at the table. “What do you do for work?” she asked, bringing her cup to her lips.

  “Pilton’s,” he began to say.

  “Oh, the brake pad place online?” Jill asked.

  “Yeah. How’d you know? Most people I meet have never heard of the place since they don’t have a brick and mortar storefront,” Jake replied. He laughed. “That’s just too funny.”

  Jill smiled at seeing Jake laugh. He was so handsome, especially when he laughed. Jake’s company was making Jill feel good, which wasn’t something she was used to feeling.

  An uninvited feeling suddenly came to Jill–guilt in the form of an image of her late husband, Bradley. His face pressed against her mind, making her feel horrible for how much she was enjoying herself. “I need to go,” Jill said, standing up as she brushed her bangs out of her eyes and pushed them behind her ears. “I have to head into town, and the roads aren’t the best.”

  “Oh,” Jake replied, relaxing back into his seat. His eyebrows lowered. He looked hurt.

  “I’m sorry,” Jill said, reaching out and touching his arm.

  “Did I say something? I thought we were having a good time,” Jake said as he stood up and put his coat on.

  “No. You didn’t say anything . . . I’ve just really gotta go. And I’m a girl, so it’s not just a ‘grab a coat and go’ situation. It’s shower, make-up, hair . . . blah, blah, blah.”

  He gave a few quick nods and said, “It was nice meeting you, Jill. Hope to see you more around Suncrest.”

  “It’s a small town, so I’m sure we’ll bump into each other,” Jill said, walking with him to the door.

  He smiled that perfect smile again at Jill, and she felt another wave of joy coupled with guilt rush over her. “See ya,” he said, stepping out the front door.

  Jill closed the door. A knock came not even thirty seconds later. She opened the door.

  “Could I have your number?” he asked, tilting his head. Jill could tell he was hopeful.

  A part of her wanted to say no, but Jill wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip away. “Yes,” Jill replied, smiling through the shame and the guilt she couldn’t help but feel. She wasn’t going to let the sadness inside of her win today. Jake pulled out his cellphone, and Jill told him her number to program into his phone.

  He smiled from ear to ear as she shut the door. Jill couldn’t help but find it cute. She held the smile until the door latched shut and the sense of betrayal came rushing in with full vengeance. Her late husband, Bradley, had been gone for two years, but his memory still kept a firm hold of Jillian Kate Parker’s mind. But on this snowy day in November, in the midst of all her pain, Jill clung to the new hope she had found—that she might be able to love again.

  CHAPTER 2

  Two days later, when Jill was getting out of her car at the Northtown Mall to head into work, she saw Jake walking out of the mall. She ducked behind her car to hide from him. Jill’s mind and emotions had been all over the place the last two days. Since the encounter with Jake in her front yard, she didn’t know what to do, and when Jake called the day before, she ignored it. On one hand, Jill wanted to pursue her feelings for the guy, but on the other hand, she felt that Bradley was supposed to be her forever.

  “Jill?” Jake asked as he came around the corner of her car.

  Jill forced a smile as she stood up. “Oh, hey!” she said awkwardly.

  “How are you?” he asked, coming closer to her.

  His eyes flashed concern for her wellbeing, and his smile drew her in. When he spoke, his voice called to her heart on a level she thought wasn’t possible again in her lifetime. Jill’s heart melted from the warmth he conjured inside of her. How could he have such a hold on me? I don’t even know him. I don’t understand this, Lord, she prayed silently.

  She smiled. “I’m just about to head into work,” she replied as she adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. She glanced toward the mall entrance, debating on just running.

  “I see. Where do you work?” he asked.

  “Franklin’s Department Store,” she replied. “By the way, I saw that I missed your call yesterday. Sorry about that.”

  “Yeah,” he replied, glancing down at the slush on the pavement for a second. “Life can get busy, I know that,” he said with an understanding nod as he made eye contact with her again.

  “Yeah . . . with the holidays right around the corner and everything, work’s been getting crazy.” It wasn’t the full truth, but she felt it wasn’t best to divulge the internal struggles she was having.

  “I bet. I try to avoid this place during the holiday season. I did retail one holiday season.” He shook his head as he continued, “I get what you’re saying.” He glanced over down the row of cars and said, “Hey. I got somewhere I need to be, but I’ll call you tonight. Will you be home?”

  Jake put the choice right in Jill’s hands and she knew it. It was another chance for her. “Yeah, I’m off at seven; call after that,” she replied, smiling. What would Bradley think? She pushed the guilt aside and kept her eyes locked on Jake’s to help ease the sense of betrayal that was trying to dominate her thoughts. His eyes were soft and set her at ease.

  He must have sensed some part of the battle Jill was fighting inside her head. He smiled softly and said, “I’ll call you after seven. And hey, Jill?”

  “Yeah?”

  “God’s in control. Don’t forget that.” The words were just what she needed in that moment. He turned and headed to his car as she wondered how he knew she was a believer. She grabbed her cross necklace that hung from her neck and smiled. Thank you, she prayed, looking up to the ceiling of the parking garage. Jill looked back at Jake and watched as he climbed into an old, beat-up Pinto.

  A mixture of happiness and guilt coursed through Jill’s body and mind with such a strong intensity that she was barely able to think straight. A small part of Jill’s mind longed for the simplicity of the numb and emotionless existence she had lived merely days ago, before meeting Jake. But she knew that wasn’t really living; that was just existing.

  Taking a deep breath in and letting the warm air escape through her lips, Jill tried to reign in her thoughts. Her phone buzzed in her purse, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was her boss texting her and asking where she was. Glancing at the clock on her phone, she saw that she was already five minutes late. Jill hurried her steps through the slush in the parkin
g garage and over to the mall entrance.

  **

  Later that day, while Jill was organizing the fingernail polish bottles in alphabetical order, she was suddenly startled by a pink, sparkly purse slamming against the top of the glass countertop.

  Jill jumped and shot her eyes up. She smiled when she saw it was her lifelong friend, Christina.

  “Oh my gosh, girl!” Christina said as she chewed a piece of bubblegum.

  “What?” Jill asked as she set a fingernail polish bottle down to chat with her.

  “This guy at Ricco’s Club last night was dancing with me on the dance floor, and—”

  Jill put her hand up. “Stop, Christina. You know I don’t care about that stuff.”

  Christina’s eyebrows furrowed and she replied, “Jill. You’re my friend, and I want you to listen. It’s not bad, I promise. Please?”

  “Go on,” Jill replied as she continued to organize the polish.

  “Anyways,” Christian said. Reaching across the counter, she grabbed Jill’s arm to get her full attention. She looked up at Christina. “This guy on the dance floor . . . was break dancing!”

  Jill started laughing. “What? Really?”

  Christina started laughing and nodding her head. “Yeah. It was ridiculous, but awesome at the same time! It was so hot.”

  “Sounds like you had a good time.” Jill smiled at her.

  Christina tilted her head. “Something’s up with you.”

  Jill shook her head and returned to organizing the fingernail polish. “What? No. I’m just working. Nothing is up with me.”

  “Girl,” Christina said, placing a hand on one of Jill’s to stop her from continuing with the polish again. “I’ve known you for ten years. I know when something is up.”